*Collaborative post.

 Crime against small businesses costs more than £12 billion annually, but this figure still does not account for the full cost of crime. For salons, in particular, crime is a significant drag on their ability to grow as a business, leads to reputational damage, as well as lost hours and days. Common crimes include robbery, burglary, and employee theft.

If you own or manage a salon, security should be one of your primary concerns. Here are our top tips for keeping your salon secure.

Research your employees

 Before hiring a member of staff, make sure you have performed sufficient background checks. This doesn’t mean that you don’t trust them, but you need to ensure that job applicants don’t have a history of theft or other criminal activity. It’s just good sense!

Brief your employees

 Once you’ve hired trustworthy employees, make sure that they know the rules and procedures within your salon. Write an employee handbook which lays everything out for them and have regular meetings to discuss security measures. If an employee disregards salon rules (for example, by leaving a door unlocked), make sure you address this problem quickly.

Safety in numbers

 Try to avoid a scenario whereby there is only one employee in your salon. A salon with one staff member is a prime target for crime. Ensure that two or more employees work each shift, which will minimise the threat of internal employee theft and decrease the chances of burglary or assault.

Monitor the till

 The cash register should be touched by as few people as possible – eliminating the potential for mistakes or theft. Decide whether a salon receptionist will handle cash or another designated employee – they can even work shifts. Money can then be counted by that person at the end of the day, with them documenting the total and informing management.

Safety measures

 You can decrease the risk of night-time crime by installing both interior and exterior lighting. Back doors should be locked and bolted, whereas front doors should also have a warning device. Something like a bell can alert the salon when someone enters. CCTV cameras canhelp identify perpetrators in the event of a crime. An alarm system can also prevent or deter late night vandalism or burglary.

Cyber-security

 Salon owners often assume that their business is too small to be targeted by cybercriminals. The idea of cyber-crime may not even enter their heads. However, online hackers often view small businesses as easy prey. It’s important to remain vigilant and protect your online activity. Make sure all of the salon’s devices are password or PIN protected, use anti-virus software, electronically backup your salon data, and use two-factor identification.

Insure your salon

 Salon insurance is designed to protect your business in the event of an accident or incident. From stock cover, to contents cover, to business interruption costs, salon insurance ensures that your business is not crippled by an unforeseen event.